[box type=”shadow” ]Systematic and professional cleaning and care of floor coverings in many buildings is an important task. This applies to all buildings constantly accessed by the public – particularly hospitals and clinics. In addition, hygiene is a crucial factor, as in medical facilities it is not just about durability and appearance, but also the prevention of all types of infections.[/box]
Numerous factors must be taken into account during the planning phase with regard to the selection and subsequent cleaning and care of floor coverings in hospitals:
• In areas where patients are treated, floors should be unstructured, washable and polishable as well as resistant to disinfectants.
• Structured flooring or coverings with unsealed joints are more difficult to keep clean and should therefore be avoided as far as possible.
• The use of textile floor coverings in clinical areas should be avoided as far as possible. These are extremely difficult to clean and almost impossible to disinfect.
This is why PVC and vinyl flooring as well as linoleum are frequently used. The first-mentioned materials are synthetic elastic floor coverings that are extremely durable as well as water, alkaline and acid resistant. However, linoleum, a natural product, is also often used. This type of floor covering is therefore only alkaline resistant to a limited extent. This must be taken into account for deep cleaning in particular.
At first glance, synthetic floor coverings and linoleum look almost identical in terms of colour and structure. The so-called “paperclip test” is therefore recommended prior to deep cleaning (stripping). In this way, damage can be prevented.
Deep cleaning: cleaning in sections is recommended
Prior to deep cleaning an elastic floor covering, remove any loose dirt with a brush or vacuum cleaner. The stripping agent can be applied either with a low-speed single disc machine at 180rpm using circular motions with green pads or a compact scrubber drier with roller scrubber head and green roller pads in a straight line with minimal overlap. Dosage is between 10 and 25%. It is important to ensure that the cleaning agent does not dry during the process. Cleaning in sections is therefore recommended: Allow the stripping agent to work for about 10 minutes and continue to treat the same section repeatedly. Apply extra cleaning agent as necessary. It is recommended to use a hand pad for edges that cannot be reached by the machine.
Once the coating has completely dissolved, the dirty water must be removed one section at a time using a wet or dry vacuum cleaner or scrubber drier. The floor covering must subsequently be rinsed with clean water. This takes place by going over each area again with a roller brush machine, applying clean water using the one step method.
[box type=”shadow” ]The paperclip test
How does this test work? Heat the tip of a straightened metal paperclip in the flame of a cigarette lighter for about five seconds. Firmly press the heated metal tip into an inconspicuous area of the floor covering for about 3 seconds. Subsequently pull the paperclip slowly out of the floor covering. The results differ: with PVC or vinyl, a small hole is visible that extends almost to the base of the floor covering. The hole has a bulging edge formed from the melted synthetic material. This is very hard and can be felt when touched. When the metal tip is pulled out of the covering, a small thread is formed. There is no visible burn mark.
If the floor covering is linoleum, the hole is scorched or charred when carrying out the same test. A strong smell of linoleum is also noticeable. And: the puncture site remains smooth.
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The new coating can subsequently be applied. This protects the floor covering against damage, greatly facilitates maintenance cleaning and provides a shine that looks clean and hygienic. This also impedes bacteria and virus attack.
Synthetic elastic floor coverings, e.g. PVC – can be treated with all standard coatings, whereby highly elastic linoleum can only be treated with materials containing wax.
The coating material must be shaken well before use and subsequently applied to the clean and dry floor covering in “puddles”.
The coating material must subsequently be carefully distributed evenly with a lambs’ wool mop. Depending on the surface and traffic, it is recommended to repeat the coating two to three times. In addition, older floor coverings absorb the coating material to a greater extent.
The first coating dries after about 30 minutes and can be walked on carefully. The next coating can subsequently be applied. However, the coating takes about 24 hours to fully harden.
In particular areas where disinfectants are used, it is recommended to apply a ceramic sealant for added resistance.
Maintenance cleaning using two methods
For mechanical maintenance cleaning, which allows much larger areas to be cleaned, a scrubber drier should be used with the one-step method: this machine applies the cleaning agent, brushes the floor and picks up the dirty water in a single pass. The floor covering is immediately dry. Cleaning with a machine is economical from an area of 200m². The cleaning result is also more efficient and hygienic.
Quickly remove minor “damage” by rejuvenating or polishing
Light scratches or heel marks can easily be removed with a spray cleaner. The cleaning agent is sprayed on to the marks and then polished either with a high-speed machine, polisher or roller scrubbing machine with white, soft brushes or yellow pad rollers.
Choosing the right machine
Different demands are placed on the cleaning and care of PVC and linoleum due to the materials used for their production. Scrubber driers with roller scrubber head are particularly suited to these tasks as they are ideal for deep and maintenance cleaning as well as polishing. Only suitable pads must be used. The speed can be adjusted from 300 to 1000rpm. The contact pressure and water volume can also be adjusted as required:
- for deep cleaning – maximum contact pressure and speed as well as hard green roller pads
- for maintenance cleaning – minimum speed and contact pressure as well as soft white roller pads
- for polishing – maximum contact pressure and speed as well as soft yellow pads
Final work
In order to prevent the transfer of microorganisms, which thrive in moist and warm environments, the following measures are essential after cleaning:
- Emptying and cleaning tanks, which must remain open to dry
- Cleaning and rinsing brushes, brush head, suction hoses and suction bar
- Wiping exterior machine surfaces